Cen Xi spoke listlessly, but the struggle between her brows was obvious.

"Since you can't make up your mind, let's just send her out of the palace first. Let her stay out of the palace so she won't bother you. Once you've decided how to deal with her, then we can arrange for someone to take care of her."

Shen Jinchen gently touched the stray hairs that had fallen beside Cen Xi's ear and soothed her softly.

"Alright, you've finished taking care of everything, why are you here so early?"

Seeing that Shen Jinchen truly had no recollection of Su Nianniang, Cen Xi felt much relieved and asked him why he had come so early.

"Of course I'll dine with Her Majesty the Empress. You're not moved at all."

Shen Jinchen flicked Cen Xi's nose and pulled her to sit down at the dining table.

Just then, the palace maids of Kunde Palace finished setting out the evening meal.

"Who says I'm not moved? I was just thinking that with the new emperor's ascension to the throne, everything needs to be rebuilt, and you'll be very busy. I can help you, but all your civil and military officials are watching, and the harem can't interfere in politics. I feel sorry for you, it's just that you're tired. You don't need to worry about such trivial things as meals."

Cen Xi gave Shen Jinchen a reproachful look, then indicated that she was just being concerned.

"Don't worry, with your husband's abilities, those are all minor matters. Dining with my wife is the most important thing for me, Ah Xi. I'm very happy to see you jealous for me."

Shen Jinchen raised his eyebrows, praised himself, and then expressed his good mood today.

"I was overthinking it. With my husband by my side, even meals taste better."

Cen Xi looked at him with a smile, sparing no sweet words. Men need to be coaxed; if you want him to always think of you, you have to coax him for a lifetime.

The next day, Cen Xi woke up and sat in front of her dressing table for a long time before finally instructing Qingyi to go to the Imperial Hospital.

Shen Jinchen is right. No matter what this woman's purpose is, she is no longer suitable to stay in the palace. She has a bad temper, and if she sees Su Nianniang again, it may affect her feelings for Xiaoyu. It would be better to let her leave the palace.

In the third year of Yongxing, all industries got back on track.

Everywhere, from the government to the people, there was a thriving and prosperous scene.

Moreover, the women of the Later Qi dynasty, under the leadership of the Empress, were freed from many restrictions.

The phenomenon of women being mistreated by their husbands' families decreased significantly because women no longer needed to depend on their husbands' families for survival. Women of all ages could study at the National Women's Academy, learn a trade, and earn their own money. With the support of the National Women's Academy, they could boldly choose to divorce and establish their own households, living freely for the rest of their lives. As a result, the status of women was improved to an unprecedented degree.

Of course, every advantage has its disadvantages. The women were happy, but the men who used to give orders were not. Cen Xi, the instigator, unsurprisingly became the target of attacks from the civil and military officials.

In a patriarchal society that has existed for thousands of years, how could women be allowed to rebel? So during this period of morning court sessions, all the voices were impeaching the Empress in the harem.

Those sanctimonious scholars all stepped forward, spitting as they spoke, listing one crime after another the Empress's in the palace. They said that the Empress was jealous, that she had kept the Emperor childless for three years, and that she shamelessly occupied the Empress's throne.

What kind of empress is she? Instead of managing the harem well, she maintains the Imperial Women's Academy every day, causing women throughout the land to disobey their husbands, disobey their wives, and disrespect their elders.

In short, the ultimate goal is to completely suppress the Empress and prevent her from causing any more trouble.

They've had enough of this queen and are determined to kill her.

Shen Jinchen's head was throbbing from all the noise.

Back in the inner palace, it was difficult to discuss the affairs of the previous dynasty with Cen Xi, and she felt incredibly stifled every day.

More importantly, his former adoptive father and uncle did not understand him. Every day after court, they would go to his study and force him to select more women to enter the palace so that he could continue his lineage.

In any case, everyone thought the empress was utterly wicked and wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible.

Shen Jinchen couldn't find a solution for the time being, so he had been hiding in the imperial study these past few days, reviewing memorials.

"Is my matter causing you trouble?"

Cen Xi hadn't seen Shen Jinchen for a long time. The previous dynasty was in an uproar, how could she not know? Shen Jinchen didn't communicate with her, so she couldn't hold back any longer and went into the imperial study by herself.

Shen Jinchen lay on the dragon throne, pressing his temples hard, and looked at the newcomer with a slightly hoarse voice:

Why are you here?

"You haven't been to Kunde Palace for half a month. Have you forgotten about me, the Empress?"

Cen Xi chuckled softly, walked behind him, and rubbed his forehead.

"I…"

"Don't speak. I know you're under a lot of pressure. That was just a joke. You must be tired. Come back to Kunde Palace with me and get some rest. Don't think about anything else. Tomorrow, I'll go to court with you and face their gunfire head-on. How about that?"

Cen Xi interrupted Shen Jinchen, pressing his forehead as she shared her thoughts.

Three years have passed, and these ministers' desire for control has gotten the better of them again, hasn't it? Then she'll teach them a lesson tomorrow.

"Ah-Xi!"

Shen Jinchen turned around and hugged Cen Xi's waist tightly, burying his head in her arms. He had been under a lot of pressure these days.

Torn between pity for his beloved and pressure from his family, whom he once trusted most, he was on the verge of going insane.

"Come on, come back with me. I had Qingyi prepare a lot of your favorite dishes. I'll treat you well tonight."

Cen Xi pulled him in without putting any pressure on him, and simply gave him a bright smile.

"Ah-Xi, don't say you're leaving me. Everything I promised you before still stands, and I would never dare to go back on my word."

Shen Jinchen looked at her pleadingly, as if afraid that she would disappear in the blink of an eye.

He used to chase after people without a second thought, but now, burdened by many matters, he can no longer abandon everything and go out to find them without hesitation.

“Who said I was going to leave you? It’s been so many years, hasn’t Your Majesty’s trust in me grown at all? Am I that kind of person? Let’s go, or Qingyi and Hongyi will think that I’ve been abandoned by you.”

Hearing the words "Don't say you're leaving me again," Cen Xixie felt a pang of unease. She hadn't expected that even after three years, Shen Jinchen would still think that she would leave whenever they argued.

How insecure is this? Did I not perform well before?

"Hahaha... That won't do. It would be better if the civil and military officials misunderstood, but I can't let the head palace maid in your palace misunderstand. Otherwise, I will definitely be in big trouble. Ah Xi, it's so good to have you. I'm content to have you by my side in this life."

"Actually, I had already thought of a solution, but I couldn't make up my mind. But now that you've come, I suddenly understand. Nothing is more important than having you by my side."

Seeing how accommodating Cen Xi was to him, Shen Jinchen's pent-up frustration from the past few days vanished. After laughing a few times, he put his arm around Cen Xi and rested his head on her shoulder, feeling a sense of peace in his heart.

If I am destined to have no children in this life, then so be it. To have a soulmate by my side through thick and thin is enough.